WORLD
SLOVENIA declares water as‘ fundamental right’
Slovenia has become the first European country to add water as a fundamental right to its constitution.
“ Everyone has the right to drinkable water,” Slovenia’ s constitution says.“ Water resources represent a public good that is managed by the state. Water resources are primary and durably used to supply citizens with potable water and households with water and, in this sense, are not a market commodity.”
Slovenia is the first EU nation to ratify water as a fundamental right; though, according to the Permanent World Report on the Right to Water, 15 other countries across the world have already done this.
The law is aimed at the 12 000 Roma people living inside the country, many of whom don’ t have access to potable water. Addressing this issue, Amnesty International highlighted the conditions in which these people often live.
“ Many Roma are … denied even minimum levels of access to water and sanitation,” Amnesty International said in a statement. u
USD120-m for Uzbekistan water project
The Asian Development Bank( ADB) has approved a USD120-million loan to enhance water supply in Tashkent Province, in Uzbekistan.
The loan will improve access to safe, reliable, sustainable, and affordable water supply services for more than 260 000 inhabitants in the Kibray and Zangiota districts of the province.
Water supply and sanitation systems in Uzbekistan were established during the reign of the Soviet Union, but are now old and need upgrading.
The project will refurbish the Kadirya regional water supply system by upgrading the existing water supply networks, offering potable water treatment services and rehabilitating the water distribution network.
It will also improve the financial, operational and system management of the Tashkent Provincial Suvokova for Kibray and Zangiota district branches.
The two districts Kibray and Zangiota are situated adjacent to Tashkent, the Uzbek capital, and add to the economic development of the capital region. The districts also have huge potential for the establishment of agro-industrial and textile industries. u
South32 opens desalination plant
South32 has opened a desalination plant in KwaZulu-Natal, at its Hillside aluminium smelter in Richards Bay. The smelter plays a significant role in the economic landscape of KwaZulu-Natal, and availability and certainty of critical input variables, such as water and power, are vital for its sustainability.
Speaking at the official opening of the desalination plant, South32 president for the Africa region Mike Fraser said in recognising the issues created by drought in the area, the company had investigated solutions to ensure that consistent water supply to the operation was maintained while reducing reliance on municipal water.
“ The desalination of seawater was identified as the preferred alternative as it would not only supply adequate water to ensure operations are maintained, but it will also be able to supplement the municipal water supply in times of critical shortage.”
Construction of the plant commenced in April 2016. It is the first desalination plant in the province.
The R74-million plant will remove minerals from seawater extracted from the Richards Bay harbour, enabling the globally diversified metals and mining company to maintain operations during a time of drought. The recent drought has resulted in the implementation of stringent water restrictions in the Richards Bay domestic and industrial sectors.
The desalination plant was built within the Hillside Aluminium Smelter complex. u
South32
South32 has opened the first desalination plant in KwaZulu-Natal.
Blue Scorpions nab water transgressor
The Department of Water and Sanitation( DWS), through its Blue Scorpions, has achieved yet another significant milestone in dealing with the water transgressions in the Western Cape province.
In the Breede Valley area, a farmer was recently convicted of contravening the new dam safety regulations by constructing a dam with no authorisation from the department. Following the litigation process, this farmer was fined R20 000, which was paid directly to Breede- Gouritz Catchment Management Agency to enhance its compliance and monitoring function.
Thanduxolo Thando Stimela, investigating officer from the Blue Scorpions, says,“ The success in this case demonstrates the department’ s ability to conduct its own criminal investigation in water-related cases.”
The DWS claims this case sends a clear message that farmers should adhere to the 20 % curtailment of all water uses as per notice 1057, which was carried in Government Gazette number 40279 of 16 September 2016 pertaining to the drought period.
“ Given the water challenges gripping the country, the department cannot afford to turn a blind eye on water transgressions. The department appeals to all water users to act in a responsible manner and respect the use of water during this drought period,” the DWS says. u
8 Water Sewage & Effluent January / February 2017